JAMES DRURY FROM CHESTERFIELD SENTENCED FOR CRUELTY TO DOG NEAR DEATH

In a disturbing case of animal neglect, James Drury, a resident of Chesterfield, was found guilty of allowing his pet dog to suffer extreme starvation, bringing to light the severe conditions in his property located on Coniston Way, Chesterfield S41 8JF. The incident came to public attention after authorities intervened to rescue the nearly starved Staffordshire bull terrier named Dibbley, who was on the brink of death.

According to reports, Dibbley, a nine-year-old dog, was discovered in a bedroom within Drury’s residence in a state of extreme emaciation. The dog was so severely malnourished that every bone in his body was visible through his thin fur, a clear indication of prolonged neglect. The RSPCA was alerted to the situation following a call from police concerned about the welfare of the animal. When Inspector Dave McAdam arrived at the property, he was met with a foul stench of feces and urine, which permeated the room and indicated a neglectful environment.

Inside the bedroom, Inspector McAdam found Dibbley in a critically weakened condition. The inspector described the scene as one of the most severe cases of emaciation he had encountered in his nearly thirty years of service. The dog was so frail that he struggled to walk, his muscles wasting away due to starvation. The inspector noted that the dog was on the verge of death, emphasizing the severity of the neglect. The room was littered with a large amount of feces, and although there was a small amount of water in a steel bowl, there was no sign of food.

Due to the dog's fragile state, Inspector McAdam had to carry Dibbley out of the property and immediately transported him to a veterinary clinic for urgent treatment. The vet who examined Dibbley described him as “a walking skeleton,” with every major bone prominently visible. The veterinarian stated, “This was amongst the worst cases of emaciation I have ever seen, and this dog was no more than a day or so away from death.”

At the time of rescue, Dibbley weighed only 8.9 kilograms. Thanks to intensive care and a specialized diet, his weight increased significantly over six weeks, reaching 20.35 kilograms. The case revealed the extent of Drury’s neglect, which was attributed in court to his experiencing stress and financial hardship at the time.

Currently, Dibbley remains in the care of the RSPCA and is expected to be re-homed soon, having made a remarkable recovery. As for James Drury, the court handed down a sentence that included an 18-month community order, a 19-day “thinking skills” program, and a 12-day rehabilitation requirement. Additionally, he was ordered to pay a total of £685 in fines, costs, and charges. Furthermore, Drury received a ten-year ban from keeping animals, which will remain in effect until November 2029.

This case highlights the ongoing issues of animal cruelty and neglect, prompting calls for stricter enforcement and awareness to prevent such suffering in the future. The incident was reported by the Derbyshire Times and Staffordshire Live, bringing attention to the importance of animal welfare laws and the responsibilities of pet owners.